Toyota FJ Cruiser Problems by Year

We compared every Toyota FJ Cruiser model year from 2007–2014 using 907 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 17 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2007, 2008 and 2010, which drew far more complaints than other FJ Cruiser years at the same age. The best years are 2009, 2013 and 2011.

8model years
907complaints
17recalls
2007, 2008worst years
2009, 2013best years

Complaints by model year

2007200820092010201120122013201459312476623412330
Owner complaints per model year, Toyota FJ Cruiser. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201430−13%5BodyAverage
201323−30%4BodyAverage
2012411.2×4BodyAverage
201123−27%6SteeringAverage
2010661.9×10BrakeCaution
20097−83%10TransmissionGood
20081243.0×9BodyAvoid
200759312.8×8BodyAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median FJ Cruiser year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Toyota FJ Cruiser problems

Latest Toyota FJ Cruiser recalls

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 20V-012 · Jan 13, 2020 · 1,830,752 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on…

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987.

Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler

NHTSA recall 16V-396 · Jun 2, 2016 · 7,749 vehicles

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010…

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016.

Steering

NHTSA recall 15V-081 · Feb 10, 2015 · 116 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2014 FJ Cruiser vehicles manufactured August 7, 2013, to August 20, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the intermediate steering shaft which connects the steering wheel and the steering gear box may have an inadequate weld.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on March 6, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Equipment

NHTSA recall 14V-828 · Dec 30, 2014 · 3,958 vehicles

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler

NHTSA recall 14V-743 · Nov 19, 2014 · 3,233 vehicles

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge.

All 17 Toyota FJ Cruiser recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Toyota FJ Cruiser should you avoid?

2007, 2008 and 2010 — these years have the most complaints relative to other FJ Cruiser years at the same age, led by body & structure problems in the 2007.

What is the best year for the Toyota FJ Cruiser?

2009 has the fewest complaints compared with other FJ Cruiser years at the same age, followed by 2013 and 2011. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Toyota FJ Cruiser problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the body & structure (332), brakes (136) and suspension (121). Body complaints peak in the 2007 model year.

How many recalls has the Toyota FJ Cruiser had?

17 recalls across 2007–2014. The model year with the most is 2009. See all Toyota FJ Cruiser recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.